updates coming soon. i promise

So, I realize I have not written a blog all month, but I will give you all updates soon. Everyone know I love to do photos with my blogs and I have not had hard drive space for a while. Now I have some space, but have been very busy. The week day have been relatively similar. The only major changes are Tabea has started after school help, I have joined to Pédibus{translation: foot bus}(more about that later), and I have taken two first French classes. The weekends have been BUSY and my week nights as well. I used to blog at nights and on the weekend, but have not been home to be able to all weekend. In the future look for stuff about the Catherine and Jande reunion, my weekends with Britney G[one in London, one in Switzerland] and the girls night in weekend. Also to come, the random people I have met and the story of how I slept in a strangers house for a night.

So, I am tired but felt I had to put something up for the month of September, so goodnight.

Everything is update

So after my J.A.M.[Jesus and Me] time this morning I finally committed to making sure all promised videos and photos were added. So, I would check back a few pages and look at the new images and video. Also, I have just posted two new ECR[euro club rachael], so enjoy.

peace, love and applesauce

euro club rachael chez heather

Sorry, Hot Julie, I tried to add the song, but youtube yanked it off. Maybe next week, I think I know a way around the system a bit. Any way just play your favorite song and have me dance to it.

So I am sorry, but there is about 8-10 seconds of black at the beginning for some reason. The original video file does not have the black. I however, am NOT uploading this video AGAIN, so please just enjoy it as is.

p.s. no animals or plants were harmed in the making of this video.

peace, love and applesauce

euro club rachael au muséum d'histoire naturelle de la ville de genève

Raylen was in a bad mood and Tabea was more concern about her shoes. So, Gemma and I had to have all the fun.

peace, love and applesauce

august is over -- my churches and I

Sunday, I went to both the French church and the Westlake. The sermon at both churches were good. Rich translated the songs for me, although when we stepped out for a moment, I read teh slide and was about to understand a bit of what was written. I could always read french better then I could every comprehend with spoken language. Then a really nice girl about my age named Myriam translated the sermon. She did such and amazing job and did not really skip a beat. I was more impressed with her then I was the sermon, which was a GREAT message. He talked about the importance of evangelism. I forgot his name, I think it is Olivier Fleury. I remember Myriam told me he is the directory of YWAM French speaking part of Switzerland. I don't know much about YWAM yet, but I am going with the French church next week to a conference in Lausanne next Saturaday. It will be in all English. Anyway, he said something that got me thinking. He said there was a survey done in London and they asked people how many of them would go to church if someone just asked them. Three-fourths of the people said yes. I thought that result was pretty amazing. So I am challenging you and me to try and invite at least four people to church this next week. I know it might be a bit difficult, especially for people who say I am just in a christian bubble. Although I am in Switzerland, since I only speak English, mostly all the people I know already go to church, but I will try to see if I can do it.

The Westlake pastor continued his sermon series about "Spending a Day with Jesus." Today David spoke about spending time with Jesus in your daily activities. Such ask eating, working and washing, that what they call bathing in New Zealand(where he is from) and other parts of the world. The most interesting point he brought up was allowing your day to be interrupted by God. Jesus allowed his schedule to be interrupted all the time in order to do his father's business. Think about it, when that woman who had the bleeding issue touched his cloak, he did not just pretend she was not there. He took notice and know God wanted him to stop what he was doing in order to minister to the women. So, don't think only your schedule time with God is all He desires, he want all of your time. Well, that a wrap folks.

**I promise photos will be added, but there are not too many. This was a bland week for photos, I will be better this up coming week about taking photos**

peace, love and applesauce

ending of august -- the pubilc transit system and I

On the Friday night I took the public system to visit Heather in Graviere. It takes about 90 minutes by public transportation to get the her house. It took me a lot longer, because I made mistakes at every turn. I missed my train from Trélex; I took a wrong turn in Trélex and turned to corner to the get to the train stop in just enough time to see my train go off to Nyon with out me. Thus, I had to to Nyon and had to wait and addition 30 minutes. Then once I got into Nyon, I went to go buy my ticket to Geneva, but the machine only take 20CHF and I only had 50 on my. So, I tried to go by something at the little market, but it was closed. I finally found an SBB[the rail system here] worker and got change from him. The old man on the machine took too long and I walked up to the machine, just in time to here the doors close on the train I wanted to take. Thus, I had to wait yet again for about 15 minutes.

I was glad I had to wait, because I got the BEST photo ever. If you don't know, I think one of the cutest things ever is old people holding hands. Well this photo beats any photo of old people holding hands. I think this is the funniest thing ever.


{A trained eye will see the beauty in this image, haha.}

Once I got to the Geneva, I found my bust stop and got my bus pass. Well, I was on that bus doing fine and paying close attention for my stop. When it was my stop, I went and stood by the door, but it did not open. So, I pushed my way through the crowd and made it to the next door with just enough time for the door to shut in my face. I found out later, you have to push the button if you want your door to open. I knew you had to do that if you wanted the bus to stop at a particular stop, but I just assumed if it was already stopping all doors would open. Well, when I got off at the wrong stop, I had to back track and find my next bus stop. I got on that bus and took it to Heather's place, this time I got up and push the stop button.

First let me say, I loved all the pop art in this house. I was especailly the Roy Lichtenstein.

We had great fun. We did not do much, just hung out and talked a bit; also we play Monopoly Deal A LOT.

I believe we played for about 3 hours Friday night until 2am. Then for 6 hours on Saturday. She forgot she had to work on Firday to babysit for another family, so I headed back to Trélex. This time I had no really issues. At one point I was on the wrong platform to get to Nyon from Geneva, but I called Rich. I got a bit confused and thought I was supposed to read the yellow poster, but I read the white poster. So, once Rich confirmed my suspicion, I headed towards to correct train. I had a mini-casual convo with an older gentle man on the train. I have not been using my iPod on the train, because I want to make sure I don't miss an opportunity to talk with someone. All we said was "Ça va?" "Ça va bien. Ça va?" "Ça va, très bien." and as I got off I said, "Bonsoir." So, nothing too fancy, but a start. He did smile and would look over at me through out our 10 minute drive as if to say something. I spent most of the train ride taking photos of the graffiti outside. There is A LOT of it on the ride from Geneva to Nyon.

I guess I was not expecting to see any in Europe and not Switzerland of all places. Some of them are clearly done by some group making their territory or at least that is how it seemed to me.

Some of them are really pretty and just look a part of the area, while others look very trashy. Well, once I got to Nyon, Rich was there with Gemma and Tabea to pick me up. We went home and that was my Saturday.

peace, love and applesauce

middle of the end of august -- me in the kitchen

I got me bike on Thursday night. I could not take it out for a spin that night, because I had to go to a TNT meeting. TNT is the 20s and 30s group at Westlake. For the TNT meeting we had to bring a dessert or drink, so I opted for dessert. I made carrot cake from scratch on Wednesday. The problem we I could not find the exact type of recipe I wanted to I just mix a few from AllRecipe.com. I wanted one with whole wheat but not coconut or any nuts at all. I mostly used Carrot Cake X, but the first batch I made, although I used less sugar than the recipe called required, I felt the muffins I made were too sweet. However, I am not sure anyone in my house felt they were too sweet. Raylen brought all her friends, Osian, Kelly, and Anna over on Wednesday for a snake and they each had 3 mini-muffins a piece. Then Tabea, who doesn't care too much for sweet, had 2 or 3 herself and Gemma had 2 or 3. Then when Rich came home he had A LOT. I did not mind because I made me feel good the family likes them. Even Andréa had a few. So, needless to day I had to make more the next day, which was also when I had to make the quiche.

Andrea also asked me to make quiche for dinner. Problem was she left me with tofu, she has similar eating habit to me and so most of our meals are vegetarian in nature, and some ingredients and just told me to make the quiche. I was so nervous, because I get very nervous in the kitchen without a recipe. I sautéed some onions, red peppers and tomato, blended up the tofu with about 5 eggs, 12oz of Gruyére, my new favorite cheese, and added a 1/2 cup of soy milk. I did not know how it would turn out, but everyone LOVED it. Even pick Tabea asked for seconds.

oh, p.s. I believe Thursday was also when I deleted my entire 27 days worth of music from my iTunes. So if anyone wants to email or yousendit any music to me that would be wonderful. Especially if you have any Jonny Lang. All my music is in the states now on my external hard drive.

peace, love and applesauce

beginning of the end of august -- the swiss schools

First, Monday marked the start of a new year. Let me tell you, as much as I complain about how much of the students time the American school system waste, the Swiss have them beat in a different way. Let me explain. I have always said the school system in American keeps the students in school WAY TOO LONG, then on top of that they send home the students with all this homework. I am not saying school and homework is a waste of time, I just think the students don't need to spend as much time as they do on school related things. Well, the Swiss tried to remedy that issue I guess, however, they have perfected the art of wasting the parent's time and complicating life for everyone.

I have three girls I take care of here in Trélex. The all have different schedule as to when they need to be at school. Some days they all have to go to school at 8:15 and other days they all have to be at school at 9:00. But my favorite are days where one or two of them have to go to school at 8:15 then the other one or two at 9:00. So, by 9:00 everyone is at school. Then at 11:40 I pick up all three from school for lunch; except on Thursdays when Raylen, the eldest girl, stays and eats at the school because she has gym somewhere else. Ok, so after there two hour lunch break, I take all of them back to school, unless it is a Wednesday. There is NO SCHOOL for any kid in this area of Switzerland WEDNESDAY AFTER LUNCH. On Tuesdays during the two hour lunch time I "babysit" one of her friends, who is in the 6th-9th grade school and she has no school on Tuesday and Wednesday after lunch. So, I take them back to school at 1:40 then I have to pick them up at 3:15. One of the moms and I were talking how it is kind of a drag for parent. can't really do too much while you kids are at school. You are constantly either going to drop them off or waiting to pick them up. [side note: If you are wondering, they also still get recess.]

Also, the schools here are psycho. Every kid has to take a pair of slippers to school and a BRAND new pair of tennis shoes. The slippers are for them to change into once they get to school. They don't want students wearing shoes inside the classroom that they have worn outside. And the same goes for the tennis shoes. Last year, Andréa accidentally let the girls wear their tennis shoes outside once for a little while and the school made her buy them new shoes. So, essentially a kid could wear three different pairs of shoes in a school day.

Well, other then school, nothing too exciting happened for the first part of the week. I opened my bank account on Tuesday, so I officially have a Swiss account. However, I MUST close it when I leave here due to all the craziness with the U.S. government and Swiss accounts.

peace, love and applesauce

homesick

Okay, I'm homesick, it just hit me in the last couple of days. I mean, I really love it over here, everyone is really nice and I'm having a lot of fun. I just miss being able to call Julie or any of my friends whenever I want just to talk about stupid stuff. Now if I want to call someone it better be important because it costs a dollar a minute. I miss being bored and being able to watch TV. I miss my animals (Baby, Coco, and Prince William). I miss my sister and the stupid things we laugh at each other about, I even miss fighting with her. I miss my car, I miss America. I want to be able to play with Riley, Adelyn or Sarah. I want to just lay in my room with my itunes on or be able to pick up one of my books. I miss my books. I miss my clothes that I wore around the house that I didn't bring with me over here. I miss going over to Wende's house just to sit there and watch TV and knit while they were playing the sims. I miss Mrs. Jackson (aka my black mother). I miss family dinner's on Sundays when Martin and Julie would come over to the house and eat. I miss the way my house smells. I miss Thompson's Station and the Publix and Post office. I miss English. I miss being able to understand everything that's going on around me. I miss church. I miss being around other Christians. I miss chi omega. I miss Union, and several people at Union. I miss Taco Express. I miss Chick-fil-a. I miss T.J.Max and buying cheap clothes. I miss the south. I miss all my DVD's (stardust and x-files mostly, and HP). I miss all the stupid things i keep to remind me of other things that are in my room. I miss my pillow. I miss my owl and chi omega blanket. I miss my mommy and daddy. I miss just being with people I love, I don't even care about talking, I just miss being in the same room, the same house, the same city, the same state, the same country, the same continent. I miss so many things. But I really love it over here, I just wish i could be home right now for like 1 hour, just to breathe it all in. I feel better all ready just writing all this silly stuff down. I have 11 more months to go. And I know I am going to have so much fun and make memories that will last the rest of my life. I feel better now. I would love to get some mail though, I check everyday but I never get any.

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday:

Well, in the morning the family and I went to Coop for some shopping. I ended getting hangers finally, but I already need more. After shopping, we went to a secondhand bike place and I got a bike. I don't have it now; we were supposed to get it on Tuesday night, but got busy. I am so grateful they would get me a bike, because as you know EVERYTHING is more expensive here in Switzerland and I was not going to by a bike for me to ride just one year. However, the girls wanted me to ride bikes with them, but Rich's bikes are to big and Andréa's bike was to small. This bike is just right.

After the morning of shopping, the family got ready to go to a wedding. This was a Belgium-Romania wedding of a co-worker of Rich and a former co-worker of Andréa. The family was invited to the religious ceremony and the cocktail hour only. There are two things you need to understand, Swiss marriage laws and Belgium wedding process. I said religious ceremony, because in Switzerland the couple has to get married in a civil union at L'Office de l'état civil[English: The Office of Vital Statistics]. The law states the couple is not officially married if they just get married in a church. So, after that ceremony you are not required to have another service, the rest of the process is just formality. This couple had a religious service, then a cocktail hour, then a reception.

Andréa told me Anne told her in Belgium culture only close friends and family are invited to the reception. Tabea and Raylen heard their family would not be able to go the the part where they cut the cake; they were upset. Tabea and Raylen cried, "That not even a real wedding. Why did they even invite us if they did not want us to come?" The family went to the religious ceremony and the cocktail hour and the kids seemed to have fun. They came back with chocolate(shocker) and a piece of Romanian cloth.

While, they were at the wedding in Geneva, I hung out with Heather in Geneva. I got dropped off at the big flower clock in Geneva.

She told me they change the flowers around. She gave me an historical mini-tour of the city. She told me a lot of stuff, but I honestly can't tell you everything because I know I will transfer some incorrect information to you. One of the first stops we made was at a churro stand. Now I have had the NASTY thing they serve in the states at Mexican resturants they call churro. Let me tell you, don't be fooled. This dessert was one million times better then the junk i have been served. She said the man who owns and works at the stand is from Protugal and he does an amazing job at making churro. He is really nice and as soon as Heather walked up he handed her a free churro. She ordered 3 and after that he gave her another free one. He said, "One for your friend." What a nice man that Tortuaco. We made a lot of stops. We went to la Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève[English: Cathedral of St. Peirre of Geneva].

{I am the really tiny thing at the bottom of the 3rd column from the left.}
From what I understood John Calvin has some connection the this cathedral. I did take a photo with the chair.

{I am not actually touching the chair, it is against the rules.}
Heather really wanted me to take a lot of touristy type photos, which I guess I don't mind seeing as I am a tourist.

As we walked around she took me to old Geneva. It is the really old part of Geneva. There we saw this group of people playing some music. It almost felt as if I were in Nashvagas.

One of our last stops was the Le Parc des Bastions. There were huge chess and checkers board there.

There were also say some people practicing their dancing. It reminded me of Paden, Lacey, Lu and the gang.

Heather and I just sat and talked for a while and just got to know each other better.

{A GIANT relieve sculpture of some guy from the reformation, I believe. It is called "Reformers' Wall" Heather likes taking touristy photos of me all day.}
What a great day.

I got picked up near the clock. The intersection is a very busy intersection, so Rich barely stopped and I hopped in the car and he sped off; so much so the tires screeched.

Sunday:

The family went to their French church. I don't want to go until I have a better French vocabulary. After they came home we had lunch, Tabea cried and made a fuss over her food as usual, then they took me to a cafe on la Barillette.

It was a wonderful view and the plum tart was wonderful as well.

Rich and Andréa made the comment of how it is so easy to escape in Switzerland. It felt as if we were on a mini-vacation from the world.


After a while a little boy came and stood next to out table. Rich said something to him in French, I don't remember what was said, and the little boy said, "I speak English you know." We all just laughed be cause kids say the darndest things. We spoke with him for a minute or so then Gemma and Tabea came running back to the table; Raylen was at the lake with a friend. You could tell very quickly Tabea thought Andrew was something special. We played a bit and eventually before we left we figured Andrew lives right next door to us. We asked Andrew why he never plays in the neighborhood with the other children. He said they all make fun of his French. His family moved into the apartment next to us in the spring; I believe from America. We had to leave to get me to church on time, but the girls did not want to separate from their new friend.

Westlake was great. Pastor David started a new sermon series about "Spending Your Day with Jesus." This week he talked about how a Jewish day starts at sundown, at night. If we want to spend a day with Jesus we need to have a proper night. Spending time talking with him at night and also getting a proper night's sleep. I think I am really going to enjoy this sermon series.

That's about it for the weekend.

peace, love and applesauce

ok, so i really have some catching up to do

So, LAST Thursday:
In don't remember the morning. I sure it went something like this; breakfast, arguing, lunch, arguing. Well after lunch I took the girls to Geneva. It was my first time taking the train by myself with the girls.

First, of all I tried to leave the house 30 minutes before we had to get on the train. Well with 3 girls with strong personalities, things did not go as planned. So first, Tabae was doing her horse jumping course. Then, I don't remember what I had to ripe Gemma away from, but I am sure it she had to have been doing something to slow use down. Then, just as we are walking out the door at 12:40, now only have 25 minutes to make the walk. She took until 1:51, now we have only 8 minutes to make the 8 min walk. Just as we turn the corner towards the train stop, I see the train pulling away. Well, I went to the paper with the schedule on it. I read there was a train coming at 13:24 and then again at 13:59. I was thinking to myself, oh well we only 24 minutes to wait. For those of you who can convert to and from the 24 hour clock, you already know I did not do that conversion correctly. So, when 2:30 rolled around and I did not see the 13:24 train, I finally realized my mistake.

I looked at the schedule yet again. The train would not come around until 14:59. So, yes we sat at the hot train station for an hour. And in the hurry I had forgotten to grab books and I did not allow them to bring their iPods. So, now they are hot and bored. So I tried to teach them the "Hermie the Worm" song; Gemma and Tabea LOVED it, Raylen was not into it so much. After I finally had to tell Gemma and Tabea to stop singing the song, Raylen organized mini races and games with the younger girls.

[Gemma and Tabea are Raylen's robots]


The train finally gets to Nyon and we have to get off the little train and connect on the big one. We have a few minutes which give me time to get my ticket, the girls are free because of some pass children under the age of 16 get here.

When we get to Geneva I have to by my a bus pass. Once I get my bus pass, I follow the directions Andrea has given me. She told me just go outside of the station I find Bus 5. Well, I walk out and there are buses and trollies everywhere, but I don't see Bus 5. I walk from one bus stop to another but no Bus 5; there was 27, 8, 4, etcetera. So, after about 10 minutes of seeing the same buses over and over again, I went back inside. The girl told me I had to go to the right side of the building. At this time I am feeling so bad for the girls. It is HOT and I know they must be miserable a bit. I would not like to spend my last Thursday of the vacation in this manner. Well, went to the side and still could not find any signs that read Bus 5. Just as I had given up searching, I look over my shoulder and across the street I see Bus 5. We run across the street, and the drive sees us and opens kindly waits and re-opens the door for us.

We get to the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de la Ville de Genève [in English: The Museum of Natural History in Geneva].

To be honest with you, I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting A LOT more, especially for all the hard work and trouble; but this was for the kids and they seemed to enjoy it. It was too horrible, there were just a lot of stuffed animals. And now that I think about it, that it how most of the museums I went to have been. I was just really excited about seeing the Two Headed Turtle. They are supposed to be famous for that turtle. Well, right when we walked in the girls went straight for his tank. but the heads were hiding in the corner and were out of sight. An hour later, when the museum was closing, we went back to see if you could see the turtle and he had not moved at all. [sidenote: Later that night Andrea and I were walking about the turtle and she informed me she had NEVER see the heads either.]

So, after the museum kicked up out, we went to play in the outside part a bit. They had a fish pond with a protective grill over it so no one would reach in and grab a fish.

I thought to myself who would reach into that nasty water and actually try to grab a fish. Just, then I turned around to see Tabea hands reaching through grill trying to grab a fish. Oh, our little animal lover. That girl goes up to any dog, no matter its size, and pets it. So, then they had some fun on playing on the statue of the panther or some big cat.

Of course that situation quickly turned into a fight about who got to sit on the top part. In order to defuse the situation, I tried to have an impromptus e.c.r(euro club rachael). It video is a bit weak. We are so tiny in the video I know, and Tabea is sitting trying to fix her shoe the entire time. Then Raylen was in a bad mood, which steams from my decision over the fight, so she just stood there and them walked away. I wanted to shoot another one, but the bus would be coming soon and I did not want to miss it.

On the way back we got on the correct bus; but we were supposed to get off that bus and take another bus. Well, we got off at the correct stop, but once we got there our bus arrived, but the word on the top of it, stating its final destination, was not where we wanted to end up. I still put the girls on the bus, because I did not want to miss the bus. I know it was the correct bus number and I prayed it would get us there. Well, it bus started going and I just had a bit of a funny feel, so I just said a little silent pray that I would be able to get help. I heard the little girl behind me speaking English, so I turned and asked the lady with the little girl. She informed me I was on the correct bus heading the wrong direction. So, she told me to get off and told me where to go stand to get on the proper bus going to proper direction. We got off and waited where she told me. About 8 minutes later the SAME bus with SAME driver came. See the was things work is the bus numbers change and so sometimes you may get on Bus 4 and get off and wait just where you got off and a different drive with labeled Bus 4 will arrive. We got on that bus and Gemma says very loudly, "JANDE, THIS IS THE SAME BUS AND DRIVER." I just smiled with a bit of embarrassment. While on the bus, could find no seat at first, I the girls and I just had to stand. I was so worry one of the girls would push the "Stop" button and was not paying much attention to where I placed my hand. Yep, that right, I pushed to button by accident. Of course the entire bus looked at me and I yelled, "Sorry" [in my Canadian accent, of course].

The rest of the trip went without any traveling hitches. Once we got into Trélex, all of use were hot and I was just spent. I turned around just in time to see Andréa's car coming up the hill. We all hopped and headed home.

Friday:

Not much happened on Firday. It rained and Raylen and I played several board and card games. She is a lover of games just like me. She even asked me if we could play Monoploy without Free Parking; and of course I said yes. One hour and forty five minutes later, I won. There was nothing else major that really happened that day.

Thanks all for now, that one was long. Saturday with Heather and Sunday at the cafe on the mountain will be up in a short while.
**photos will be added later and I will spell check and proof read later**

peace, love and applesauce

I'm so glad it's cooled down!

I am so happy this is my morning off! Yesterday was my first German lesson. So, Grace and I met at the bottom of her street like we always do when we meet up and we walked to the train station together. We had to take the 7:12 train to Zurich, but we were early. While we were sitting there, talking about my fox that eats our shoes (in English of course), this old man beside us asked us what we were doing in Rapperswil. We told him that we lived here and he was really surprised, then he told us to be careful what we talked about because everyone understands English. Then I asked Grace if I had said anything that might have offended him, she said I hadn't and he must have been trying to be nice...
the train ride is about forty minutes, because it makes several stops, and we actually have to go past the main station in Zurich. So, our train gets in at 7:57, so we had 3 minutes to find the building our class was in and get there. The only thing was, we got lost... for 30 minutes! The school was supposed to be across the street, but we couldn't find it. So we started walking around and looking for it. We some how ended up in some dance studio! haha, it was awful, but funny at the same time, because I feel like something like that would only happen to me. Grace, then called the school to try and figure it out, but the woman who answered didn't speak English! But, we finally found it. What had happened was that we had looked across the street on the side of the train that we had gotten off. But it was literally on the other side of the tracks! All we had to do was go through a tunnel under the tracks and there we were at school. We felt really stupid. We then tried to take an elevator up, but it was broken, and we were stuck in the elevator for a couple of minutes. When we finally got outside the classroom is was 8:33, and we just stood there. We could hear the teacher speaking in German and we were so nervous. So after we stood there for another minute I finally plucked up the courage and knocked on the door and opened it. Of course everyone looked at us, but I smiled and looked at the teacher and said "sorry, we got lost". There were only two seats left so we had to separate. I sat in between an older Italian guy and a guy my age from England.
As soon as we got in there I was being asked questions in German. Apparently the class had already written questions down and were to be asking each other questions. This was difficult, but I think I did pretty well! The teacher is SO eccentric, he reminds me of the nutty professor (the original, not the one with Eddie Murphy). Class went fine and then we caught the 10:00 train home.
After I got home I couldn't resist watching an episode of Royal Pains... Big mistake, because one episode turned into four episodes. But now I am caught up! And I think Julie said this Thursday is the last episode, so I will just buy it off itunes and then I will be happy until the next season starts.
So that is why I'm glad this morning is my morning off, because I stayed up so late. But, I must of slept on my back wrong, because this morning it hurt really bad and I can't bend over. But, I took Advil after breakfast and I hope it starts feeling better!!!!
Okay, sorry that was so long! I am going to facebook a little and then start work. But it will be nice because it's cool outside and Clara and I are going to have a walk around town!
Cheers (that's how they goodbye over here)

its been a while

I am SO sorry I have not given you an update in a while. I honestly have not been in the mood or been too tired or sudo-homesick to blog every night this week. But lets see, the week in review:

Monday: Toine and Jane's eldest daughter Zoe spent a few days with us. So I took she and the girls to la piscine(yes, if you are keeping track, thanks 3 times to the pool in 8 days. This time I did not even bother wearing a suit. I figured the two older girls can play with each other and the two younger girls had each other. I did go down to the beach part of the pool with the Gemma and Tabea. It was actually a lot better and more peaceful. There were two quasi-circular rock "walls" in an area, creating a little lake pool.

Then there was also a dock to jump off. Mostly teenagers were jumping off the dock. The girls stayed in the lake-pool. It was so peaceful because you could not hear or see as many people. It was like a mini retreat area at la piscine. While we were there a swan came and was swimming in the lake with the kids.

Some little puck-kid decided it was his duty to throw pebbles at the swan.

I wanted to tell him stop, but I don't speak French. When he was walking past me to go back to his parents, the lady beside me said something to him in French. I am not sure exactly what she said, but I can only assume she was telling him not to throw stuff at the bird. I heard her said "ne" and "pas," so I know she told him not to do something. The kids did not enjoy being reprimanded and made a rude face at the woman. I just wanted to pick up the rocks and throw them at him at the point. Despite the kid, all in all, Monday was good.

Tuesday: I don't really think much happened. It was the first time I started feeling a little homesick. I was listing to Kairos podcast for the week of Aug 4th [I have gone back and re-listen to all the previous "Summer of Love, Too" sermons]. This was the Kairos service on the day I left. It made me a little sad I could not be there for that one and then I became said thinking about everyone at home. I was sad about not just the people at Kairos, but also everyone else.[side-note: I actually did write a good-bye message to the people at Kairos, but never posted it. Maybe I will dig it up and post it in the very near future.]
Tuesday after lunch was when we tried to do Raylen's school project. She has to collect branches of different trees. We went to the parcoursvita, a nearby walking trail. I guess they are all over parts of Switzerland. They have little exercises and stretches you can do through the trail. It is actually a really nice idea. It is where Rich, Andrea, the girls and I went walking my first full evening in town.
Raylan and Osian rode their bikes, while Tabea, Gemma and I took the car. I wanted us all to ride the car, but Raylen said Osian did not want to ride the car; Osian wanted to ride her bike. I did not have a bike at this time, nor a helmet, so I could not ride anything to get there and I did not feel like having a fight over this topic. So, Raylen and Osian took off before us and we came a few minutes later. When I got there, Raylen said, Jande do you have my folder. I thought to myself, "No, its not my responsibility." So Raylen, Gemma and I hopped back into the car and drove home to get the folder. When we got back to the parcoursvita and Raylen says to me, what trees are we looking for again. I got out the list and starting reading them off. She said well how does that one look. I told her, "I don't know what these trees are." Then she said, "Well mommy wrote the traduction[that what she says instead of translation, its French]." I am almost positive I looked at her and said, "Are you serious, I am not arborist." She said, "You don't know, I thought you would know." So I told her we would have to go on the computer at home and look all these up and try again later this week. I however did not want this trip to be a bust, so I said we would stay and go on the trail anyway.
Raylen was not happy with the hiding spot Osian and Tabea had chosen to hide the bikes. So, they spent another 5 minutes trying to find spots to hide the bikes. Then they decide just to ride the bikes, and I told them know. Gemma informed me you cannot ride bikes on those trails; apparently parcoursvita is only for people on foot. Raylen and Osian could not settle on a spot and they were determined to ride their bikes. This fight I was willing to have and win. So they decided we would just go home if they had to walk with their bikes. So home we went. That night there was a sleep over with Kelly[the girl with an American mother, Pam], Osian and Raylan. It did not go too well. The girls were up with after 1:30 when I went to sleep. The next morning Rich was ready to ban sleepover, but Andrea got him to agree to no more group sleep overs.

Wednesday: It just rained and we did not do much. Raylen loves Monopoly, so I think we played a game with free parking[not official Monopoly rules and makes the game last much longer]. After that I taught her Monopoly deal. We played a round of that and some Skip Bo. Gemma and Tabea played with each other. And every so often you would here Gemma scream, "Please Tabea will you play with me." You see, Gemma can be a bit bossy, rude and blunt and Tabea will just stop playing with her. However, Gemma likes playing with her; so Tabea will stop playing with Gemma and Gemma will beg and plead with Tabea to play with her. I just let them work it out.

peace, love and applesauce

I live in Switzerland

So I don't really think it's hit me yet that I live over here. But every now and then something happens and I'm just like, wow, I live in Europe. And I have finally made a friend, her name is Grace, and she's from Edmonton Alberta Canada. We have hung out several times and have explored Rapperswil together. We are also taking German lessons in Zurich together starting tomorrow. I'm pretty nervous about it, but I'm excited about making more friends. I am hoping I can find someone to go into Zurich with me on Sundays to go to church. There are only German services in Rapperswil.
There are some interesting things over here. Like all the kids are naked, ALL the time. i\I know it's summer, and it's hot, but they just take off their clothes! It's so funny, when one takes off their clothes, then the others want to as well. So we end up having all four kids naked, plus the neighbor kids... all naked. They just swim and run around playing. So I haven't been taking a lot of pictures of the kids playing... because I don't want a bunch of pictures of naked kids.
I think the kids get this from the grown ups though. I have started playing volleyball with Jutta on Thursday nights. This past Thursday was our first night. I thought it was just going to be some other mothers she knew, but there were men there too. And one was very good looking, and we were the only two that didn't speak German. So he was talking to me a lot. But it was awful, because there I was all hot and sweaty and out of breath, wearing my purple tennis skirt because I don't have shorts to play volley ball in, and he's asking me all these questions like a reporter. Anyway, I played pretty horribly, but I'm going to go back anyway because I think it will be a good place to practice my German (that is currently non existent). And grace is going to come with us next week too! But anyway, before we all played all the women were in the dressing room, Jutta and I had gone in to talk to her friend Marianne. NAKED WOMEN EVERYWHERE! I was not prepared to see that. Just one big room, and one big shower, and everyone just stripped down. Needless to say I don't think i will go into the dressing room anymore! ha ha...
I have also eaten camel meat without realizing it. Last weekend I went to a wedding with the Schubigers and there was a sit down six course meal afterwards. Well, one plate had something on it that looking like smoked ham, and it was so good!! Like, the most amazing thing I think I have ever eaten, when I was done eating it Jutta was like "did you like the camel?".... I was a little surprised... but it was good!
Oh, I have found peanut butter! I was getting a little worried but Jutta brought some home yesterday from Migros, and it made me so happy, so Jande... Migros! Migros pretty much runs Switzerland... It's worse than walmart! Except awesome at the same time.
I went out into town last night for the first time with Grace. She came over to my house and then we rode our bikes up to the castle. We walked around for a long time because we were so nervous about actually going into a restaurant. But finally we got up the nerve and went to a place on the water called Deci 10. It has a bar, lounge, restaurant, and a cafe bar, which has coffee and alcohol, and food. We sat town and I asked the bar tender if her spoke English... he didn't, but another one did, his name was Mario. So we sat there and ate some pizza and had a drink, then this woman started talking to us, asking us how long we have lived here and telling us some things we should do. She was really nice, after she left Mario told us that she was the owner of Deci 10, so that was nice, chatting with the owner. Then these people behind us heard us speaking English and started asking us questions about Canada and The States. And they gave us the rest of their strawberry margaritas, which is not like anything in America, but it is made with fresh strawberries! The cafe bar closed at ten, and Mario wouldn't let us pay for anything. so when it closed up, Grace and me hung out with some of the Italian waiters from Deci 10, we just sat by the water in town and then walked up to the castle, then they walked us to our bikes and we rode home. But they were really nice and we were proud of ourselves for making some new friends. So now we think we will go there on Friday mornings when we both have the babies with us and get espresso at the cafe bar.
I don't think there is really anything else interesting to say, most days I just stay at the house and watch the kids, and go swimming in the lake, it has been so hot here, but the heat wave should be over now I think, and I hope.
I miss you Julie, Wende, and Jande!

westlake church and people my age

So Sunday Andrea took me to Westlake[sorry, if their website is down], the English speaking church in Nyon adn we took the little train. It was my first time on the train from Trelex to Nyon. [sidenote: We did not pay, but when I asked Rich today if you had to pay he said yes and no. The rule is you must pay when you can. Trelex does not have a place to by tickets and no one every came up to us on the short ride to ask us to pay were did not have to pay. If someone had come to us we would have had to pay 3 extra francs as a penalty or something. I am not sure I completely understand but I am sure I will later.]
It was a small little church that resembled a small church you might find somewhere in Liberia or Parsons, Tennessee. Since Switzerland does not have AC, it was so hot. After the service, I got connected with some people my age. I met this girl named Heather and I am sure we will be very good friends. She is from South Carolina. There were actually 3 girls there from SC; Tess, Devon and Heather, but I don't think any of them knew the other was from SC. After service, Andrea returned home and I went with those three girls plus two other girls, Bethany[born and raised in Switzerland] and Melina[German], and a boy, Brad[works in Switzerland and Sweden].




They said there were going to eat pizza at the White Castle. When they said that I almost throw up, but then they explained it was a white castle.

We got pizza[three Hawaiian pizzas and one cheese for me] at one little restaurant[I will find out the name later], my first time eating out in Nyon. When we got to the castle, it was such a beautiful view. You could see the lake, all the house tops and my favorite thing-- boat lined up in the pier.

I talk with Melina, Devon, Tess and Heather quite a bit. I think I am really going to like these people.

{Melina, Heather}
Heather was very helpful. She told me about vue d’ensemble Voie 7(Track 7) card I can get, it's for people under 25; you can ride any train all over Switzerland for little to not money after 7. It cost 100CHF and many rides actually cost zero dollars. You can go to the voie7 site to check cost and availability for rides. All in all it was an evening that was practically perfect in every way.

Today I got several emails from Bethany. The first informed me about Linked; the second and third were information about TNT. TNT is the young adult ministry at West Lake. They seem to be very active and very welcoming. Heather told me about the leaders of the group and the female leader seems to be an amazing woman. TNT has a social, Dessert and Discussion," next week Wednesday.

peace, love and applesauce

I'M ALIVE!

okay, so... i have not had internet for two weeks! being disconnected to the world was terrible! but it made me really think about a lot of things and get my priorities straight. first of all, it made me realize that i have been crazy to think i could ever live in a foriegn country for the rest of my life. i love it here, and i think i will always enjoy traveling, even for long periods of time. but i definitly want to be close to my family and friends!!!! (so julie, you should be very happy about that)
the schubigers are amazing! franz and jutta are so nice and we get along so well! its really hard to understand the children because of the whole language barrier, but they are really sweet for the most part, even though they can act SO bad a lot of the time. i think once i learn more german and they learn a little english things will be a lot better.
i feel like i have done so much since i have been here, and since i am just now writing about everything i know i will forget about a lot of stuff. my first day here we went swimming in the lake, and went to an italian place in town, where i ate pizza, and it was SO good! then we walked up to the castle (where there is a polish museam, im waiting for jande to visit and then we can go, haha). the view from the castle was great! when we got home i slept for 13 hours straight and didnt wake up till about 11am the next day. jutta thought i was upset and didnt like switzerland because i never came out of my room, then when i woke up she realized i had just been asleep the whole time!
we also went to a water park in zurich, it was a lot of fun. i too wore shorts with my one piece, and i was the only one doing so! there were pregnant women wearing much much less swimwear than i would ever dream of!
okay, i feel like this is getting too long, so i'm just going to talk about the highlights of the last two and a half weeks. the first of august is like switzerlands 4th of july... it was awesome, franz and jutta are always having other big families over so there is always a ton of people!! they got me a bike! yellow and purple, but i love it. i have a basket on it now.... and i am trying to think of a name for her, so, any suggestions?? then we went for a walk up in the alps, i didnt realize till later that we were like an hour or so from the italian border! then rapperswil had a lakeside party, which i think is just a reason for people to go out on their boats, drink, and watch fireworks... but jutta and franz had people over again and it was fun, the fireworks lasted an hour on both a friday and saturday nights! there was also an air show preformed by the swiss airforce.
i have met three other au pairs. charlie, who is from london, she watches luisa's best friends lynn and vikki. and grace, she's from canada and watches some kids that go to school with the girls. i like her a lot, she's really sweet and i think we will have fun together, we are going to take german classes together, although i dont know when we are supposed to start...
i dont know how to put pictures up yet, but when i figure it out i will be sure to put up my favorites!
sorry for the spelling and grammer errors... but i really just dont care.
love,
me

euro club rachael la dôle

la dole

So today I woke and the weather was just perfect. I believe the high today was about 23C/73F. I decided then, I wanted to go a good long walk. My original plan was to take my iPod and walk a nearby trail and listen to a few more Summer of Love, Too sermons. But Andrea came up with some ideas of what she thought of for me to do, if I had no ideas. Her ideas were excellent, but I already had set my mind on a good long walk/hike. One of her ideas is something I am looking forward to trying when Britney comes for her visit in September. When I told her I really just wanted to go for a walk, she suggested La Dôle. She said the view was magnificent. So, I decided to go and Andrea suggested Raylen joining me. Since I had never been to this place, I can't speak French, and I have not spent any alone time with Raylen; her joining me was a welcomed idea.


When we were first dropped off, I looked at the view and I know I was going to enjoy this walk. We walked for a few minutes and we could see your goal, the little white ball at the top of this mountain.


Raylen had hiked up to the top of La Dole about 6 other times and was to be my mini-guide. She we finally got to the base of the Mountain, she showed me one path. But we quickly came to realize, that the path she thought she saw was not a path for people to walk. After, we finally found the proper path, she began to realize the walk was more them she had thought. Every 5-10 minutes, she would say, "Maybe we should start heading back now." I felt a little bad, because I was determined to make it to the top. As a compromise, I would let her stop and sit whenever she liked.

This gave me a chance to look around and capture the beauty of the walk. One of my favorite views was probably about one-third of the way up.


Our actual goal was to get to the top and eat our picnic Andrea had kindly prepared. But after about 40 minutes of hiking up some pretty steep paths, Raylen decided it was time to eat. We got out our lunches and ate out tomato-cheese sandwiches, some apples, and some German dessert thing; which I originally thought was cheese. Although it was not the taste I was expecting, it was a pleasant surprise. The picnic on top of "our world" was very wonderful.

After our 25-30 minute picnic, Raylen was ready to head on down, but I was able to talk her into continuing. She said she would do it for mommy, because she know her mother would ask us how was the view. She know Andrea would be disappointed to hear we did not make it to the top, so Raylen said we would make it for mommy. Once we got to the top, I was glad we had not turned around. The view was beautiful; the video does it no justice.

We could see everything; from La Mont Blanc[highest peak in Europe] to Lac Geneva/Lac Léman[the largest lake in Europe] to Nyon. It was amazingly peaceful and wonderful up there. I wanted to stay there for quite sometime, but Raylen was expecting guest and need to get back home. We took a few photos and club rachael videos and were on our way back down.


We got a bit turned around, because Andrea's directions for us to get down would have taken us through cow and Raylen did not want to go through the cows. We finally got back to the bottom where Rich pick us up and we returned home.

When we returned home, I fell asleep for a long nap and work for dinner. Anne, Tom, Jane, Tom and Jane's 3 kids, Estelle and the two dogs joined the Batch plus Jande for dinner. It was yet another wonderful day in Switzerland.

peace, love and applesauce

Raylen

So, I am having internet and video editing issues. So I will give everyone an update on my 3 hour hike to La Dole today. However, her is here video. She capture the spirit of club rachael. She did not even have music, just the beat in her soul, haha.

peace, love and applesauce

drive me crazy

So, I have been driving the girls around all week. Let me tell you, I feel like an idiot when I drive here. First, I learned how to properly drive a manual on Sunday. Rich took me to the parking lot of the Coop parking lot.
[sidenote: The Coop is a grocery store, the most expensive on in the area according to Rich and Anne; but it is Andreas favorite place to shop for food in Switzerland. I am not sure if building we go to is a mall or what. It is very confusing. There were other stores in the building, clothing, jewelry, and such; but everyone refers to the build as the Coop. Even the Migros's building, Rich's favorite place to show for food, because it is cheap and has comparable quality products, looks like a mall.]
Well, back to the driving story. One the way to the Coop I stalled both times I had to come to a complete stop, which would have forced me to be in first gear. I trying and trying to restart the car with no luck. Both time Rich and I had to switch seats. Rich was so patient and such a wonderful teacher. He added to the knowledge imparted upon me by Brice and Julie[thanks guys]. After Rich told me about I could give more gas then what I was letting up on the clutch, the stalls became less frequent. I think I stalled today for the first time since Monday.

After Rich and I felt I had finally gotten the hang of things he had me drive to the stables where Raylen and Tabea would have camp that week. This is where things started actually getting hard. First of all, there are hardly any street name signs here. The best way to know where you are going is to know the town you are headed towards. Rich showed me 7 different ways to get from the house to the stable. The issue with this area is everything states looking the same to me, corn fields, sun flower fields, vineyards, and round abouts[one in the center of most towns].

Friday, on the way to pick up the girls was the first time I did not get confused and take the wrong turn. I had to take one of the seven ways to get there and another to return home. For some reason, from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning, I forgot the way I used to take to get there. Some how I would end up on my return route, but my brain was still trying to make turns for the route I used to take there. I made the same wrong turns every single time. It was a bit embarrassing, because the girls would say, "No, this is not the right way. This is the same thing you did this morning." Oh, well, all those wrong turns actually helped give me more confidence in my skills. Some of the maneuvers I had to do in order to get back on the correct path. On Tuesday I had to go up a steep incline from a stop. The problem was I was in someone drive way with them standing in their tomato garden directly behind me. I was more frighten of running in to The Tomato Man, as Rich and I call him] then I am of running in to people's cars.

While the steep-up-hill starts are scary, the roundabouts are a bit as well. I can never remember the rules for indicators[blinkers]. The Europeans are big on those. While I am as well, I still don't fully understand the round about rules yet. If you are going to exit at the one in the left, you put your signal on until you get to the exit point, then you put on your right. I am still a little fuzzy about what to do if you are going straight.

There so much more to talk about but it is much too late and I am finally sleep.

peace, love and applesauce

p.s.
I get to see Britney G next month. Anyone else want to call October for a visit?

barn, la piscine

First of all, happy birthday Daniel. I know I can't be there[this may be the first time in 8 or so years, but I am thinking and praying for you]. Congrats on being an awesome son to Andy and Barbara, great brother to Charles, an incredible boyfriend to Ashley and one of my very great friends. You have accomplished so much in your 23 years of living and I am honored to be your friend.



*****
So today Gemma and I stayed at the barn for about two hours. We were trying to see if we could see Raylen and Tabea just. This would have been Tebea's first time jumping. They took so long brushing and getting the horses ready that poor Gemma got bored and wanted to leave. We only got the watch the girls ride around in circles. Maybe tomorrow we will bring books to entertain ourselves and stay a bit longer. I just wanted to get Gemma and I back to the house to take care of lunch and a few things before Elsa arrived.


Elsa[now I am almost positive on the spelling], Gemma and I went to la piscine. Yes, that is the second time in 3 days I have been there. Luckily the girls could entertain each other in the pool so I did not have to go in there with them. I just sat very near the pool and watched them as I listened to Mike Glenn's Summer of Love, Too series [sidenote: you should check out the podcast on iTunes at Kairos Nashville. The Summer of Love and Summer of Love, Too series are some of the best sermon series. PODCAST]. All in all, the girls were great.

peace, love and applesauce

p.s. Catherine if you are reading this how is the dog? If you need to give us an update text DOG to Wende or just tell your dad to tell Julie DOG.

la picine et la Ferme du Hérisson

So, this week Raylen and Tabea have horse camp. So, it iis just Gemma and I until I go pick up the older girls at 5. Well, Monday Gemma spent all day with her friend Estelle's house. But on Tuesday she and I went to la picine, a.k.a. the pool. That's right Jande went to the pool. And guess what else, she got in without wearing a shirt. Yes, I still wore my shorts, but no shirt. First time I have not work a shirt in the pool since maybe 10th grade. I know I would have to take off the shirt over the one piece when I got there and say the people; there were men in tiny bottoms and little girls, probably about 6-7, with out a swim top.

And naked little kids running around. One girl, probably about 11 or so, came up to me a said, "Pardon, madame." Then she said something in French which I could NOT understand. [sidenote: Forget not understanding what she was saying, I could not even she a single word that came out of her mouth. I am still at the stage when someone speaks French to me unexpectedly, I freak out and can't even concentrate what they are saying.] So she said, "Excuse me, ma'am...." Gemma translated and told me the girl wanted to know why I was still dressed in the pool. I had on shorts and a one piece and felt quite naked for my standers, but to the little French speaking Euro girl, I was still dressed. When she figured out I could not speak French. She said, "Bikini??". My eyes widen in horror at the thought of me wearing one. I don't think I have worn one of those in 15 years. I can't even go out into public with sleeveless shirts or tanks. All in all the pool was quite nice. Gemma and I really got to bond, she can be such a sweet little girl. I think I forget sometimes she is only 6, because she has such a big personality.



Today Andrea and Anne, Elsa's [I am still not sure of how to spell her name] mom, made a play date for Gemma and Elsa. Anne also brought along her son, Nathan. We went to Ferme du Hérisson, which translate to Hedgehog Farm. It is located in Ménétrux, France[I may have gotten the town wrong] and is about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Trélex. While we did not see any hedgehods, weird eh, did see a lot of different animals. I believe it was about 17 euros(to lazy currently to she how to type the symbol with an American keyboard) for a family pass. When we first got place we say a man with jars of honey. While I could not understand a word he said, I know what he was talking about and the kids seemed to be engaged in what he said to them. After he told them about how honey is made and how we people get it from the hive to the jar, he gave them samples of three different types of honey. The first one was clear and clear can be. It almost looked like corn starch. He told the kids the honey color and taste are related to where they get their pollen. The last honey they tasted was from a pine-tree bee. I don't think the bees live on the pine tree, they just get their pollen from the tree. After the kids had tried all the honeys, he offered Anne and I a sample. All the kids agreed it must try the first honey, the clear one. It was the most delicious honey I have every tried. I got a jar, because all tells me that paying 8CHF for a jar of honey that size is about 2 or 3 times cheaper then buying it in Switzerland.
After the honey many we went to the petting zoo where there were an array of animals. A cow the kids milked. Chicks to pick up and hold. Ducklings to pet. Rabbits to get in a bin with and play. Goats to chase. Llams, donkeys, mules and many more to see. The kids just had a blast with all the animals, especially the chicks.

I kind of felt a little sorry for some of those animals and I am by no means an animal rights activist. One of the chicks was older with usable[well, for-a-chicken] wings; it kept fluttering out of the bin and walking around the stable. It looked like it was trying to escape. There was also the poor mule; it just stood in the only shady spot in his HUGE area the entire 2 hours were at the farm. While the petting-zoo animals got the shaded area, poor mule had to just find his own cool area.
This place also had a little path you could walk with little low-ropes stations for the kids.

They also, loved that area. While Anne was not particularly impressed with the place, the kids loved every minute of it, even down to the little play area they have at the entrance. All in all, I would say it was a very successful trip, because the kids left happy. I loved it because it was so beautiful.


peace, love and applesauce

So this one will be LONG

Well, first of all, on week today I left Nashville. Seems so weird that after such a short time, life here is starting to feel a little bit more normal.

Well to catch you up on the past few days, we can just start with the weekend. The family had a mini-vacation this Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. We drove to Cailler Chocolate Factory and took a tour. There were some OLD SCHOOL, black and white videos playing, but all the videos were in French, so I did not know what they were saying. Then after the videos you could walk around and learn about the factory's ins and out. There were a lot of neat things, such as a smell test of different chocolate and the history of the Nestle and Cailler gentlemen. The piece de resistance had to be the tasting. I totally felt like Charlie and those kids when they walked in to Wonka's World. NO the room was not made out of chocolate, but they had almost all there chocolates on display for you to try. The only problem was the chocolate had to stay in the room for adults. I grabs to interesting ones to try, but I was still savoring the flavor of the one, when some girl stopped me from walking out the door. She said "Excuse me miss, but you cannot take those out of the room." In my state of panic, I just chewed them up quickly and thus did not really get to take the different flavors properly.


After the chocolate wonderland, we headed to the mountains. We spent the night in a barn on the side of alps. From what I could understand the concept is part of some government thing to bridge the gap between the farmers and others. I did a little bit of research and these types of places seem to be everywhere. The local farmers have a barn where people can come and spend the night and eat (like a B&B) but you literally Hit the Hay.

Weird, eh, but a fun idea. The goats lived with under the barn, so yes there was a bit of a smell, but you get used to it. Since this place had goats that meant we had lots of goat cheese to consume. I had some, but I must say I am not a fan yet. But as some of you may know, my motto is try every food twice. I will have to let you know when I do try it again and see how I like it. All in all it was great. I was still a bit jet lag, thus I went to be super late and work super early. I opted to sleep in the car; I was afraid my snoring might be bothersome. Plus we had two other families with us the the space seemed a little to small for 15 people to sleep. When I work as early as I did, I got bored quite quickly. Once the sun finally came up, I took a brick run, then a little walk. Then I really started to get bored and started a photo/ video shoot. Thus the video below was born--"euro club rachael."

I am getting quite sleep, so will have to full you in on the video, my drive a manual/5-speed car, my day with Gemma(the youngest) and more.

peace, love and applesauce